Top 6 Man Made Wonders in Abu Dhabi - Gape at Architectural Marvels that Defy Physics!

It is no secret that Abu Dhabi outshines most of the major cities in the world, especially when it comes to architecture. Take a look at the top structures that define the essence of the city.

1

Aldar Headquarters

The UAE is well known for setting records and the Aldar Headquarters is a perfect example to portray this fact. The 1st skyscraper in the world that is circular in shape, it is curved on all sides and is 121m high with 23 floors. It is situated in Al Raha and the circular shape is said to be inspired by the shape of a clam shell (which has a great significance in the country due to the history in seafaring). The unique shape that perfectly combines the history of Abu Dhabi with the modernity of the city is said to signify unity and stability.

2

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Expected to open towards the end of 2017, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is a sister museum of the Louvre in Paris. The main idea being to bridge the breach between Western and Eastern art, the dome is an architectural marvel because it appears to float in midair, yet allows sunlight to filter through in an effect referred to as the "rain of light". Said to be roughly 24,000m2 in size, it is said to be display more than 600 pieces of art (a number that is said to increase) from various countries and cultures.

3

Capital Gate

Easily the most curious of all the structures on this list, the Capital Gate borrows the idea of the Leaning Tower of Pisa to step away from traditional skyscrapers. Standing at a height of 160m, it has an incline of 18° towards the west, making it the furthest leaning tower in the world. While the stats might seem alarming, the mesh and reinforced steel gives the structure a great amount of strength and durability.

4

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Nestled in between an intricately manicured garden, it is safe to say that the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a perfect example of modern Islamic architecture. It is the third largest mosque in the world and is one of the handfuls of mosques that are accessible to people of all faiths. A project that was started by the first president of the country, it is in part inspired by Ottoman architecture but the majority of the design is completely innovative. The mosque is situated close to major hotels such as the Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara and other points of interest like the Abu Dhabi History Museum.

5

Qasr Al Hosn

A strange fit among the rest of the buildings on this list, the Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest stone building in Abu Dhabi. With a huge historical and cultural significance attached to it, this is the place to go if you are looking for a glimpse into the history of the city. Originally built in 1761 as a watchtower, it was later turned into a fort before it was expanded to a part of a palace. A good Spa Hotel in Abu Dhabi can be easily found in the nearby area making it easy to access for tourists.

6

Sheikh Zayed Bridge

842 meters long, the Sheikh Zayed Bridge is widely considered as one of the most complex bridges built thanks its unique curved design that resembles the sand dunes of the desert. Named after the first president of the UAE, it was designed by Zaha Hadid and was opened to the public in 2010. The best times to view the bridge are during the nights as it offers a unique lighting system that spreads over the entire bridge.